Dispenser for soap and other viscous materials



D- R. WIESE May 15, 1962 DISPENSER FOR SOAP AND OTHER VISCOUS MATERIALSFiled NOV. 17, 1958 INVENTOR. QYO/VHAO .3. W55:

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3,034,687 DISPENSER FOR SOAP AND OTHER VISCOUS MATERIALS Donald R.Wiese, Pacoima, Calih, assignor to K & W Products, Inc., Whittier,Calili, a corporation of Nevada Filed Nov. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 774,239 12Claims. (Cl. 222-256) The present invention relates to a dispensingdevice and more particularly to a device adapted to dispense quantitiesof highly viscous fluids such as waterless soap or other viscous fluidsapproaching the viscosity or semisolid state of paste-like waterlesssoap.

The present invention contemplates dispensing apparatus whichefliciently dispenses paste-like fluids such as waterless soap or thelike in a manner such as to avoid discharge problems, cavitation of thematerial to be dispensed, and the like.

Among the primary objectives of the invention is to provide a dispenserdevice which is extremely simple to operate as well as to load andreload as the initial supply of material to be dispensed is depleted.

Waterless soap is generally viscous to the point of resisting flow andis commonly supplied to users in containers, as for example, of onegallon capacity. It is 7 common practice in the use of such soap merelyto place the container in a convenient location where a user may readilydip into the paste-like waterless soap in order to obtain a quantity ofthe soap material. Frequently, excessive amounts of the soap are used oran insufiicient amount of soap may be employed. Moreover, removal of thecover and replacement thereof following use of the soap is an annoyanceand inconvenient, and substantial quantities of the soap material arenormally left in a container following normal manual removal of the soapmaterial.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide a dispenserdevice adapted to readily accommodate a container or the like in whichwaterless soap material is supplied for use, wherein the dispenser iscapable of dispensing the entire contents of the container in anextremely efficient manner. Another object is to provide a dispenser forviscous fluids such as waterless soap wherein a pressure applyingfollower forces the flow of the viscous material from the container andwherein a valved discharge piston effects dispensing of the viscousfluid upon actuation of a manually operable dispenser valve, the valveddischarge piston operating to allow the passage therethrough of thematerial being dispensed upon closure of the dispenser valve. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide dispenser apparatus inaccordance with the foregoing general objectives which is extremelysimple to manufacture, install and maintain at a minimum of cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter bedescribed or will become apparent as the description progresses and thenovel features thereof will be defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a dispenser device made inaccordance with the invention with a container for material to bedispensed disposed in the dispenser apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view as taken on the line 2.2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view as taken on the line 33 ofFIG. 1, showing the follower in a position assumed when the contents ofthe container has been partially dispensed and showing the valved piston3,934,687 Patented May 15, 1962 and dispenser valve in their normalnon-dispensing relation;

FIG. 4 is a View corresponding to FIG. 3, "but illustrating the valveddischarge piston and dispenser valve in a dispensing position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section as taken on the line 55of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view in transverse section astaken on the line 66 of FIG. 4 through the discharge conduit and thedischarge valve support;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view in bottom plan depictingthe inner end of the dispenser valve mechanism as indicated by the line77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary detail view in section as taken on the line 88of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail view in section through the dischargeopening, as taken on the line 99 of FIG. 4.

Like reference characters in the several figures of the drawings and inthe following description designate corresponding parts. 1

Generally speaking the present dispenser apparatus includes a cup-likebody or base 1 adapted to removably receive a container 2 of material tobe dispensed such as, for example, waterless soap or other highlyviscous fluid. The base 1 includes a generally circumferentiallyextended upstanding wall 1' and a bottom 3, there being formed at oneside of the base 1 a bracket 4 adapted to be connected as by screws 5 toa supporting wall. 6 or the like, at some suitable points, preferablydiametrically spaced as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the wall 1 of the base 1is provided with means 7, 7 for releasably securing the container 2seated in the cup-like base 1 in engagement with a horizontally extendedannular shoulder 8 formed within the base 1.

Each of the means 7, preferably comprises, as best illustrated in FIG.5, a pivotally mounted latch lever 9 mounted for pivotal movement on apin 10 extending between opposed walls 11 of a radial enlargement 12 ofthe base 1. Spring means such as a coiled compression spring 13 isinterposed between the wall of the respective radial enlargements andthe inner end of the latch levers 9 so as to normally bias the innerends of these levers into engagement with the receptacle 2, which, asillustrated, is provided with a peripheral bead 14 engaged by the latchlevers 9 so as to releasably retain the container 2 within the base 1.

It will be understood that conventionally viscous products or waterlesssoap to be dispensed by the dispenser apparatus of the invention wouldnormally be supplied in cans of the type provided with a bead such asthat shown at 14. Thus, the container 2 is illustrative of a shippingcontainer in which the product to be dispensed is initially shipped to aconsumer. However, if desired a special container of a more attractiveappearance may be employed in lieu of a can in-which the product to bedispensed is shipped.

Centrally of the cup-like base 1 and projecting upwardly from the bottom3 is a boss 15 having a reduced upstanding neck 16. Suitably mountedupon the neck 16 and seated upon the boss 15 is a vertically extendedhollow discharge tube 17, which projects upwardly into close proximityto the upper wall 2' of the container 2.

Extending along one side of the neck 16 is an arcuate discharge passage13 communicating at its upper end with the hollow tube 17 and at itslower end with a discharge opening 19 extending vertically through theboss 15. It will thus be noted that the discharge tube 17, the neck 16and the boss 15 constitute jointly means providing a discharge passagefor conducting fluid to be dispensed vertically downwardly from theupper end of the tube 17 to the bottom of the cup-like base 1.

Projecting radially from the boss 15 as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, is adischarge passage 20 communicating with the passage 19 in the boss 15and extending through an enlarged radial section 20' of the bottom 3 ofthe cuplike base 1 to substantially the outer extremity of the base 1.

A combined slide valve support and closure plate 21 is secured to thebottom of the base 1, as by a suitable number of fasteners 22 (see FIGS.and 8) this plate forming the bottom wall of the discharge passage 20and having a discharge port or opening 23 therethrough communicatingwith the discharge passage 20. Slide valve means 24 is shiftably carriedby the plate 21.

In the illustrative embodiment the slide valve means 24 includes achannel section member 25 embracing the plate 21 so as to be slidablethereon and projecting radially from the base 1 to provide an operatingknob 26. Adjacent the knob 26 the slide valve is provided with anelongated opening 27 therethrough, and product being dispensed throughdischarge passage 20 and discharge port or opening 23 is adapted to passthrough the opening 27 when the slide valve 24 is shifted from theposition shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4, where theopening 27 through the slide valve 24 is in registry with the dischargeport 23. Moreover, it will be noted that upon movement of the slidevalve 24 from the position shown in FIG. 4, this being a dispensingposition, to the position shown in FIG. 3, this being a closed position,the edge 27 of the member 25 will effectively slice through viscousmaterial being dispensed and cleanly cut off the discharge port 23.

Means are provided for normally biasing the dispenser or slide valve 24to the position shown in FIG. 3, and in accordance with one of thesalient features of the invention, this means is combined with means foroperating a valved discharge piston which is effective to positivelydisplace a volume of product being dispensed from the central tube 17.

In the illustrative embodiment the upstanding neck 16 referred to aboveis centrally bored as at 30 and slidably disposed in the bore 30 is astem 31 having at its upper end a valve head 32 of a valved dischargepiston assembly generally denoted at 33. The valve head 32 has a taperedseating surface 32' engageable with a complemental seating surface 34 onan annular piston sleeve 35 which is slidably engaged at its outerperiphery in the tube 17, there being a central discharge passage 36through the piston 35 through which the stem 31 extends.

Means is provided for limiting relative movement of the annular piston35 on the stem 31 away from the valve head 32 and in the illustrativeembodiment this means is constituted by a cross pin stop 37 which alsofunctions as a seat with which is engaged the upper end of a coiledcompression spring 38 disposed about the pin 31 and engaged at its lowerend with the upper extremity of the boss 16, so as to normally bias thestem 31 upwardly. Such upward movement of the stem 31 will effect upwardmovement of the valve head 32 and the piston annulus 35 which will beengaged by the cross pin 37.

Moreover, such upward movement of the stem 31 under the influence of thespring 38 will shift the dispenser or slide valve 24 to the positionshown in FIG. 3, by reason of the provision of means connecting the pin31 to the inner extremity of the slide valve channel member 25.

In the illustrative embodiment the bore 30 in the upstanding neck 16 isflared rearwardly as at 40 to provide an arcuate surface on Which ridesa flexible chain or other suitable flexible connector means, asindicated at 41, which interconnects the lower extremity of the stem 31with the slide valve channel member 25. The chain 41 is preferablysecured to the stem 31 as by a pin 42, while a combined slide valve stopand connector member 43 connects the other end of the chain 41 to theslide valve channel member 25.

The combined stop and connector means means 43, as best seen in FIG. 8,comprises a generally U-shaped wire element having an arched or indentedcentral section 44 engaged by the chain 41, the opposed arms 45 of themember 43 extending upwardly through the base of the channel member 45and through the overlying portions thereof which lie above the plate 21previously described. Accordingly, these arms 45 of the member 43 areengageable with the extremity of the plate 21 when the slide valve 24 isin the position shown in FIG. 3, so as to limit such movement. In orderto accommodate the chain 41, the end of the plate 21 is notched as at21' so that the chain may extend therethrough for connection of themember 43.

In order that uniform quantities of product being dispensed will beejected from the discharge port 23 upon each actuation of the dispenseror slide valve 24, the knob 26 provides means for limiting movement ofthe slide valve and consequently the discharge valved piston 35 in adirection for discharging such product.

In this connection it will be noted that means are provided formaintaining under pressure a supply of product to be dispensed withinthe tube 17. Preferably such means comprises a spring biased follower orpressure piston 46 which is composed of a disc of rubber or othersuitable material slidably disposed on the central discharge tube 17 andbiased upwardly by a conical coil spring 47 seating at its upper end ina cup 48 which is inverted so as to reinforce the piston rubber 46 andprovide a seat for the spring 47. In addition, a washer 49, providingcentral reinforcement for the rubber 46, may also be provided on theupper surface of the rubber 46. The spring 47 seats at its lowerextremity on a seat 50 on the boss 15 and maintains continuous pressurein an upward direction tending to force product from the container 2through the upper end of the discharge tube 17, as indicated by thearrow.

It Will be observed that with the dispenser or slide valve 24 positionedas shown in FIG. 3, the valved piston means 33 is open so that thefollower 46 is effective to force product downwardly through the gapbetween the seat 34 on the valved piston 35 and the valve head 32 intothe discharge passage 18 through the neck 16 of boss 15 and thencethrough discharge passages 19 and 20 to outlet port 23. Thus thetendency of the follower is to maintain a full supply of product in thedischarge passageway at all times.

As the dispenser or slide valve 24 is shifted towards the position shownin FIG. 4, the chain 41 will pull the stem 31 downwardly so that thevalve head 32 will seat in the annular piston 35, as the spring 38 iscompressed. Downward movement of the annular piston 35 during thisinitial movement of the stem 31 will be resisted by the product in thetube 17 below the piston 35, and friction with the tubing 17. Uponengagement of the valve head 32 with the piston 35, it will be notedthat the valved piston means 33 is closed and further downward movementof the stem 31 will cause the ejection by the valved piston means 33,through the discharge passages and ultimately through the port 23 andthe opening 27 in the slide valve member 25, of a quantity of theproduct being dispensed equal to the displacement of the valveddischarge piston means 33, limited only by engagement of the knob 26with the base 1, or by other appropriate stop means if desired, wherebya uniform quantity of product will be dispensed each time the dispenseror slide valve 24 is shifted in a dispensing direction.

When manual pressure on the knob 26 is released, the compression spring38 will urge the stem 31 upwardly unseating the head 32 from the valveseat 34 of the valved piston means 33 and effecting engagement of thecross pin 37 with the lower surface of the annular piston 35,

. O whereupon the valved piston means 33 will shift from the positionillustrated in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 3, causing a volumeof product to pass through the valve piston means equal to the volume ofproduct which has previously been dispensed. Such dispensing operationsmay be repeated until such time as the follower 46 has exhaustedsubstantially the entire volume of product from the container 2 andforced the same downwardly through the discharge tube 17.

In order to, at this time, replace the container 2 which has beenemptied, with a container filled with product to be dispensed, thereleasable latch means 7 may be disengaged from the bead 14 of thereceptacle and the receptacle may be stripped from the follower 46,whereupon a new container of product to be dispensed may be installed.As previously mentioned, inasmuch as the subject apparatus isillustrated in connection with the dispensing of semi-solid pasty typesof product such as waterless soap of a highly viscous nature, suchproduct will not flow from the container. Therefore, the container maybe inverted and then pushed downwardly over the follower 46 until thefollower 46 contacts the body of product in the container, followingwhich the container and follower may be forced downwardly until the bead14- at the base of the container has been securely latched in engagementwith the seat 8 of the cup-like body 1 by the latch means 7.

While the present invention has been specifically shown and described inrelation to the dispensing of waterless soap type material or otherhighly viscous or semi-solid products, it will be recognized by thoseskilled in the art that various features of the invention haveapplication in the dispensing of other less viscous fluids upon obviousvariations in the structural configuration of the present invention asherein illustrated, or in the mode of use thereof. Wherefore suchmodifications or alterations may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a receptacle; means connected to saidreceptacle including a discharge tube having a portion extending intosaid receptacle; means surrounding and slidable along said portion ofsaid tube for forcing a product from the receptacle into said tube;normally closed valve means for controlling the discharge of productfrom said tube; and means operable in said portion of said tuberesponsive to movement of said valve means to open position for forciblydischarging a quantity of product from said tube through said valvemeans.

2. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a receptacle; means connected to saidreceptacle including a discharge tube having the major portion thereofextending into said receptacle; means slidable along the exterior ofsaid portion of said tube for forcing a product from the receptacle intosaid tube; shiftable normally closed valve means for controlling thedischarge of product from said tube; and means including a dischargepiston slidable in said portion of said tube responsive to shifting ofsaid valve means to open position for forcibly discharging a quantity ofproduct from said tube through said valve means.

3. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a receptacle; means connected to saidreceptacle including a discharge tube having a portion extending intosaid receptacle; means slid-able along the exterior of said portion ofsaid tube for forcing a product from the receptacle into said tube;shiftable normally closed valve means for controlling the discharge ofproduct from said tube; and means including a discharge piston slidablein said portion of said tube responsive to shifting of said valve meansto open position for forcibly discharging a quantity of product fromsaid tube through said valve means; said piston having valve meanstherein.

4. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a receptacle for containing a productto be dispensed; means on said receptacle providing a discharge passagehaving a first portion disposed in said receptacle and a second portionleading from said receptacle; means in said receptacle movable alongsaid first portion for forcing the product from said receptacle intosaid first portion; a discharge piston movable in said first portion forforcing said product from said passage upon movement of said piston inone direction; means for enabling said product to bypass said pistonupon movement of the latter in the opposite direction; shiftablenormally closed valve means; and means extending into said first portionfor shifting said piston in opposite directions upon shifting of saidvalve means to open and closed positions, respectively.

5. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a receptac e for containing a productto be dispensed; means on which said receptacle is mounted includingmeans defining a discharge passage having a first portion in saidreceptacle and a second portion leading from said receptacle; meanscarried by said first named means and operable in said receptacle forforcing the product therefrom into said first portion; a dischargepiston movable in said first portion for forcing said product from saidpassage upon movement of said piston in one direction; means enablingsaid product to by-pass said piston upon movement of the latter in theopposite direction; shiftable normally closed valve means; and means forshifting said piston in opposite directions upon shifting of said valvemeans to open and closed positions, respectively.

6. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a receptacle for a product to bedispensed; means on said receptacle including means defining a dischargepassage having a first portion in said receptacle and a second portionleading therefrom; means movable on said first portion for forcing saidproduct from said receptacle into said first portion; a discharge pistonmovable in said first portion for forcing said product from said passageupon movement of said piston in one direction; means for enabling saidproduct to by-pass said piston upon movement of the latter in theopposite direction; shiftable normally closed valve means; means forshifting said piston in opposite directions upon shifting of said valvemeans to open and closed positions, respectively; and stop means forlimiting shifting of said valve means to control the volumetricdisplacement of said piston.

7. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a base; said base having a dischargepassage; a tube connected at one end with said passage and having itsother end disposed to be positioned in the upper portion of a containerfor a product to be dispensed; means operatively connected with saidtube and movable in said container for forcing said product into saidother end of said tube; a normally closed valve; means slidably mountingsaid valve on said base so as to open and close said discharge passage;discharge means in said tube for forcing a quantity of the producttherefrom into said discharge passage when said valve is open; and meansoperatively interconnecting said discharge means and said valve tooperate said discharge means upon shifting of said valve to openposition.

8. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a normally closed valve; said valveincluding a plate having a discharge opening therethrough; dischargemeans operatively connected with said plate for forcing a quantity of aproduct to be dispensed through said opening; a slide shiftably carriedby said plate and operable for opening and closing said dischargepassage; operating means connecting said slide to said discharge meansfor operation in unison when said slide is moved to open said dischargeopening; said operating means including a connector member carried bysaid slide; and said connector member having a portion projecting into aposition for engagement with said plate to limit movement of said slidein one direction.

9. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a base for supporting a receptaclefor a product to be dispensed; a tubular member on said base adapted tobe disposed Within said receptacle; said base having a discharge passagein communication with said tubular member; means operatively associatedwith said tubu ar member movable when said tubular member is disposed insaid receptacle for forcing a quantity of the product into said tubularmember; discharge means in said tubular member for forcing a quantity ofsaid product through said passage; normally closed valve means on saidbase for controlling the dispensing of said product from said dischargepassage; said discharge means including a piston in said tubular member;said piston having an opening for passing said product past the piston;a valve stem extending through said piston and having a head at one sideof the piston engageable with the latter to close said opening; stopmeans at the other side of said piston for permitting relative movementof said stem and said piston for opening and closing said opening; meansin said tubular member normally maintaining said stop in engagement withsaid piston with said head spaced from said piston; and means forshifting said stem to effect engagement of said head with said pistonand for thereafter shifting said piston in response to movement of saidnormally closed valve means to open position.

10. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a base having a discharge passageprovided with an inlet and an outlet; means on said base for supportingthereon a receptacle from which a product is to be dispensed; a tubecarried by and extending from said base so as to stand within thereceptacle supported on the base; one end of said tube being open toreceive the product; the other end of said tube being in communicationwith the inlet of said discharge passage; means surrounding and slidablealong said tube for forcing the product from said receptacle into saidone open end of said tube; normally closed valve means shiftably mountedon said base for movement to open and close said outlet; piston meanswithin said tube; and a connector element extending through said baseinto said tube and connecting said piston means with said valve meansfor moving said piston means for forcibly discharging a quantity of saidproduct from said tube through said passage and said outlet in responseto movement of said valve means to open said outlet.

11. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a base having a discharge passagetherethrough; said base having a neck; said discharge passage having anoutlet in said base spaced from said neck; means on said base forsupporting thereon a receptacle for the product to be dispensed withsaid neck extended into said receptacle; a tube having one end portionmounted on said neck so as to stand Within the receptacle; said tubehaving one end open for receiving the product; a portion of the bore ofthe tube being open alongside said neck to communicate said bore withsaid discharge passage; means surrounding and movable along said tubefor forcing said product into said one open end of said tube; normallyclosed valve means on said base movable for opening and closing saidoutlet; piston means operable in said tube in outwardly spaced relationto said neck; and connector means extending through said neck andconnected with said valve means for operating said piston means to forcea quantity of said product through said bore of said tube, said passageand said outlet upon movement of said valve means to open said outlet.

12. Dispenser apparatus comprising: a base having a discharge passagetherethrough; said base having on one side thereof a neck; saiddischarge passage having an outlet in said base spaced from said neck;means on said base for supporting thereon a receptacle for the productto be dispensed with said neck extended into said receptacle; a tubehaving one end portion mounted on said neck so as to stand within thereceptacle; said tube having its other end open for receiving theproduct; a portion of the bore of the tube being open alongside saidneck to communicate said bore with said discharge passage; meanssurrounding and movable along said tube for forcing said product intosaid one open end of said tube; valve means on said base movable foropening and closing said outlet; an annular piston operable in the boreof said tube and having a valve seat thereon; a valve member movableinto and from engagement with said seat; a Stern on said valve memberextending through said piston; said neck having a bore ther'ethrough inwhich said stem is slidable; means including a spring on said stemnormally holding said valve member away from said seat; and connectormeans extended through said base into said bore of said neck andconnecting said valve means with said stem; said connector meansoperating to seat said valve member and move said piston for discharginga quantity of said product from said tube through said discharge passageand said outlet in response to movement of said valve means to open saidoutlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,648,593 Schatz Nov. 8, 1927 1,920,867 Kirk Aug. 1, 1933 2,317,872 ZimtApr. 27, 1943 2,373,171 Daly Apr. 10, 1945 2 ,810,496 Gray Oct. 22, 19572,829,804 Muench et al Apr. 8, 1958

